Flexible container, method of forming the container,unsealing-guide of flexible container, method of filling liquid into container, and liquid

ABSTRACT

There are provided a flexible container capable of realizing facilitation of opening and uniformization of the shape of an opening that is obtained by opening, a method of forming the flexible container, a seal-breaking guide of the flexible container, a method of enclosing a liquid in the flexible container, and the liquid enclosed in the flexible container. The invention relates to the flexible container which is openable by tearing, the method of forming the flexible container, the seal-breaking guide of the flexible container, the method of enclosing a liquid in the flexible container, and the liquid enclosed in the flexible container, and has seal parts (a center seal part  4 , a top seal part  6 , a bottom seal part  8 ) for sealing a holding part ( 2 ) formed of a flexible material ( 3 ), cuts ( 12, 14 ) formed in the seal parts and a seal-breaking guide of the flexible container ( 16 ) formed in the seal parts for giving guidance for a direction of tearing of the holding part which is openeable by tearing, thereby realizing facilitation of opening and uniformization of the shape of an opening that is obtained by opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a container and so forth for use intransportation, storage and commercialization of a liquid and so forth,and particularly relates to a flexible container which is openable whentorn while formed of a flexible material such as a synthetic resin filmand so forth, a method of forming the flexible container, aseal-breaking guide of the flexible container serving as an assistantmember when opening the container, a method of enclosing the liquid inthe flexible container for use in transportation, storage andcommercialization the liquid and so forth, and the liquid enclosed inthe flexible container.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Generally, a plastic container called a PET bottle is heavilyused for commercialization, transportation, storage, and so forth, of adrinking water such as a mineral water, and other liquids. It is pointedout, however, that this kind of plastic container is light in weight andhigh in safety, but is bulky and hard to handle because it is high inrigidity and keeps in a fixed shape regardless of an amount of thecontents. As opposed to such a container, a flexible container in bagshape, formed of a plastic film, has been in widespread use. Theflexible container is high in holding efficiency in a box or likebecause it undergoes variation in external shape due to fluidity of itscontents, and the flexible container by itself after use is easy tohandle because it is small in volume and can be optionally folded andoverlaid one on top of another, thereby rendering it less bulky than thePET bottle. Further, the flexible material can be easily scrappeddepending on the quality of the contents, and hence it is excellent inambience.

[0003] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a flexible container 200 inwhich mineral water is contained has a holding part 202 formed of aflexible material, as the holding part 202 is sealed at upper and lowerseal parts 204, 206 by thermo compression bonding. The flexiblecontainer 200 employs a synthetic resin sheet such as polyethylene andso forth which is excellent in tearing property. Slits 208 and 210 areformed in the seal part 204 at the two corner sides of the holding part202, and an arrow 212 indicating a tearing direction of the holding part202, namely, a direction for opening the holding part 202 from the sealpart 204 to the holding part 202, is printed on the holding part 202.

[0004] With the flexible container 200 having such a configuration, if atearing force is applied to a direction of the arrow 212 for opening thecut 208 while picking up both sides of the slit holding part 208 asshown in FIG. 14, the seal part 204 and a part of the holding part 202are torn so that the holding part 202 in which water is contained isbroken to open the holding part 202. Further, as shown in FIG. 15,likewise, the holding part 202 can be opened by tearing the cut 208 in adirection of an arrow 212 while picking up both sides of the cut 208after a flexible container 200 is put in a stand 214 serving as areinforcing container. In the case where the stand 214 is used, theholding part 202 can be opened by applying a force to the seal part 204so as to open the cut 208 with one hand in FIG. 15.

[0005] Meanwhile, if the flexible container 200 is formed of a flexiblematerial which is excellent in tearing property, it can be easily openedbut the shape of the opening formed by opening the holding part 202 isnot uniformized depending on a tearing direction. For example, asevident from each shape of breakage piece 216 formed by being openedfrom the cut 208 and torn, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), 16 (B) and 16 (C),each opening 218 is variously shaped so that the shape of the opening218 becomes asymmetrical about the seal part 204 or distorted. If waterserving as an contents is to be poured into a cup or the like from theopening 218, a direction of water is changed depending on the shape ofthe opening 218, resulting in trouble in handling such fail in pouringwater into the cup or the like.

[0006] Further, in the case shown in FIG. 17, since a holding part 202is soft, an opening 218 is easily sealed by a clip 220 to prevent waterfrom flowing out, and sealing of the holding part 202 can be easilyreleased by removing the clip 220. In this case, if a flexible container200 sealed by the clip 220 is kept in a refrigerator, the opening 218 towhich sealing pressure is applied is hardened by refrigeration and keptin an close contact state, even if the clip 220 is removed from theopening 218 in the case where a flexible container 200 is formed of aflexible material such as a synthetic resin sheet. Accordingly, there isdisadvantage that shaping of the opening 218 takes time when using theflexible container 200 or if a user intends to flow out water throughthe opening 218 by inclining the flexible container 200 in the closecontact state, water is prevented from flowing out, and a flowingdirection of water is hardly operable.

[0007] Still further, in the case where the opening 218 is sealed bysuch a clip 220, if an opening area or an opening width of the opening218 is varied with an arbitrary tearing force, there is a likelihoodthat the opening 218 can not be sealed by the intended clip 220.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a flexible containerwhich can be easily opened and can be uniformized in the shape of theopening obtained by opening it, and a method of forming the flexiblecontainer, a seal-breaking guide of the flexible container, a method ofenclosing the liquid in the flexible container, and the liquid enclosedin the flexible container.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the flexible container of theinvention may be configured such that the flexible container beingopenable by tearing comprises seal parts for sealing a holding partformed of a flexible material, single or plural cuts formed on the sealparts, and a seal-breaking guide provided in the holding part for givinga guidance for a direction of tearing of the holding part, said holdingpart being torn from the single or plural cuts to be opened.

[0010] To achieve the above object, the flexible container of theinvention may be configured such that the cuts are formed by the numberof not less than two parts which are selectable in an opening area ofthe holding part.

[0011] To achieve the above object, the flexible container of theinvention may be configured such that the seal-breaking guide is closedby a closing member for sealing an opening formed in the holding part byopening it, and maintaining the opening in an open state when thesealing of the opening is released.

[0012] To achieve the above object, a method of forming a flexiblecontainer of the invention which is openable by tearing may beconfigured to comprise the steps of bonding a seal-breaking guide forgiving a guidance for a direction of tearing of a holding par, when theholding part is opened, to a flexible material forming the holding partfor enclosing a liquid therein, and setting seal parts in the flexiblematerial by folding a portion of the flexible material to which theseal-breaking guide is bonded to thereby form the holding part.

[0013] To achieve the above object, the seal-breaking guide of theflexible container of the invention may be configured such that theseal-breaking guide of a flexible container which is openable by tearingfrom cuts formed in seal parts comprises edge parts for preventingtearing from spreading on the holding part, that is torn by the cuts,and for guiding a tearing force, that is applied to the holding part inan operating direction.

[0014] To achieve the above object, the seal-breaking guide of aflexible container of the invention may be configured to comprise a slitfor preventing tearing from spreading on the holding part, that is tornby the cuts, and for guiding a tearing force, that is applied to theholding part in an operating direction.

[0015] To achieve the above object, the seal-breaking guide of aflexible container of the invention may be configured to comprise pluralslits for preventing tearing from spreading on the holding part, that istorn by the cuts, and for guiding tearing routes, that are generated inthe holding parts, within a predetermined range.

[0016] To achieve the above object, the seal-breaking guide of aflexible container of the invention may be configured to comprise anopening in the holding part by collecting tearing routes for tearing theholding part while extending over the seal parts, and a slit for brakingthe holding part and a part of the seal parts.

[0017] To achieve the above object, the seal-breaking guide of aflexible container of the invention may be configured such that the edgeparts or slits may be formed in a symmetrical shape at the symmetricalposition or an asymmetrical shape at the asymmetrical position whilesandwiching the seal part.

[0018] To achieve the above object, a method of enclosing a liquid in aflexible container which is openable by tearing may be configured tocomprise the steps of bonding a seal-breaking guide to a flexiblematerial, said seal-breaking guide giving a guidance for a direction oftearing when a holding part is opened, setting seal parts by folding aportion of the flexible material to which the seal-breaking guide isbonded to thereby form the holding part of a liquid, charging apredetermined amount of the liquid into the holding part, and sealingthe holding part at the seal part after charging the liquid.

[0019] To achieve the above object, a liquid of the invention may beconfigured to be enclosed in the flexible container.

[0020] According to the invention, since a direction of tearing theholding part from the slits formed in the seal parts of the flexiblecontainer is guided by a seal-breaking guide, the holding part is easilyopened by the seal-breaking guide and shape of the opening obtained byopening the holding part 2 is uniformized by the seal-breaking guide,thereby forming substantially the same configuration.

[0021] Further, the opening of the holding part is reinforced by theseal-breaking guide, to maintain the shape of the opening, and even ifthe holding part is sealed by the sealing piece and refrigerated, whenthe sealing is released, the opening is restored in an open state.

[0022] According to the flexible container of the invention, the methodof forming the flexible container, the seal-breaking guide of theflexible container, the method of enclosing the liquid in the flexiblecontainer and the liquid, there are following effects of advantages.

[0023] a. An opening can be easily formed by tearing a part of theflexible container from the slits formed in the seal parts, and adirection of tearing and breaking the holding part is guided by theseal-breaking guide to tear the holding part, realizing uniformizationof the shape of the opening by restricting the shape of opening to apredetermined shape so that unevenness of the opening or failure of theopening can be prevented.

[0024] b. Since the opening can be reinforced by the seal-breakingguide, the holding part can be easily restored from the close contactstate caused by the sealing by a sealing piece or refrigeration to anopen state, so that the contents can be easily taken out from theholding part.

[0025] c. It is possible to form the flexible container which can beeasily opened and the opening configuration can be uniformized.

[0026] d. It is possible to enclose contents such as a liquid and soforth in the flexible container which can be easily opened and theopening configuration can be uniformized, and hence it is possible tocommercialize a liquid such as pure water, drinking water and so forth.

[0027] e. It is possible to commercialize the flexible container whichcan be easily opened and the opening configuration is uniformized as aunit, and it is possible to provide a liquid such as pure water and adrinking water which is facilitated in conveyance and storage.

[0028] The above and other objects, configurations and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a flexiblecontainer and a liquid which is sealed in the flexible container;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flexible container before liquid isenclosed in the flexible container;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a seal-breakingguide of the flexible container of the invention;

[0032]FIG. 4 (A) is a sectional view of the seal-breaking guide of theflexible container taken along IV-IV in FIGS. 3 and 4 (B) is a partialenlarged sectional view thereof;

[0033] FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B) are views showing shapes of theseal-breaking guide, adhering process of the seal-breaking guide to aflexible material serving as a method of forming the flexible containerand a method of enclosing liquid in the flexible container of theinvention;

[0034] FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B) are perspective views showing a formingprocess of a center seal part and top seal part serving as a method offorming the flexible container and a method of enclosing liquid in theflexible container of the invention;

[0035] FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B) are views showing tearing guiding operationof the seal-breaking guides;

[0036] FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) are views showing another tearing guidingoperation of the seal-breaking guide;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a view showing still another tearing guiding operationof the seal-breaking guide;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of aseal-breaking guide of a flexible container of the invention;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of aseal-breaking guide of a flexible container of the invention;

[0040]FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of aseal-breaking guide of a flexible container of the invention;

[0041]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a conventional flexible container;

[0042]FIG. 14 is a view showing the opening of the conventional flexiblecontainer;

[0043]FIG. 15 is a view showing the opening of another conventionalflexible container;

[0044] FIGS. 16 (A), 16 (B) and 16 (C) are views showing various statesof opening formed by opening the conventional flexible container; and

[0045]FIG. 17 is a view showing a close contact state by clipping anopening formed by opening the conventional flexible container.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0046] First Embodiment:

[0047]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first embodiment of a flexible containerof the invention, wherein FIG. 1 shows a flexible container in whichwater is enclosed and FIG. 2 is a flexible container before water isenclosed. The flexible container has a holding part 2 for enclosingdrinking water, a liquid and so forth therein as an contents, and it isformed of a flexible material 3 having a sheet shape such as a syntheticresin film and so forth. According to this embodiment, there are formeda center seal part 4 serving as means for sealing the holding part 2 ina longitudinal direction, and a top seal part 6 and a bottom seal part 8for sealing upper and lower sides of the holding part 2 and directed ina direction orthogonal to the center seal part 4. That is, the holdingpart 2 forms a sealed space sealed by these three seal parts 4, 6, 8,and water 10 is enclosed inside the holding part 2 according to theembodiment. FIG. 2 shows the holding part 2 before water 10 is enclosedin the holding part 2, in the case where the bottom seal part 8 is notformed, wherein the holding part 2 is sealed by the bottom seal part 8after water 10 is enclosed in the holding part 2.

[0048] According to the embodiment, the flexible material 3 employs alamination film formed by nylon, ethylene-vinylalcohol resin andpolyethylene, and a lamination film of nylon, polyethylene terephthalatecoated with aluminum oxide and polyethylene, and so forth serving as amaterial capable of enclosing water 10 and so forth as contents, and canprevent an odor from adhering to water 10 and so forth as the contents,and also can be opened upon reception of suitable tearing forth appliedthereto.

[0049] Plural cuts 12, 14 are formed on one corner of the top seal part6, and a seal-breaking guide 16 is attached to the holding part 2 whilebridging over front and back faces of the holding part 2 for guidingtearing direction of the top seal part 6 and a part of the holding part2 when the holding part 2 is opened through the cuts 12, 14. The cuts12, 14 correspond to shapes of openings of the holding part 2 when theholding part 2 is opened, and they are selectively used such that thecut 12 is used for forming a large opening while the cut 14 is used forforming a small opening. Accordingly, the water 10 enclosed in theflexible container is commercialized as a unit of the flexible containerin the same way as solid good although it is fluid, and it can becarried and kept with ease, and it is very convenient such that it isused when the holding part 2 is selectively opened through the cuts 12,14.

[0050] The seal-breaking guide 16 is formed of a synthetic resin sheethaving a high rigidity in a thickness substantially the same as theflexible material 3 forming the holding part 2, and can be configuredby, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. If the seal-breaking guide16 is configured by a transparent or by the same color as the holdingpart 2, it can be integrated with the holding part 2. The flexiblematerial 3 on which the seal-breaking guide 16 is laminated is enforcedby the seal-breaking guide 16 at the laminating portion, and hence itmay be formed of a material which is thinner than the flexible material3 or by a material which is thicker than the flexible material 3.

[0051] If the seal-breaking guide 16 is exploded together with a part ofthe holding part 2 which is slit at the top seal part 6, it isillustrated, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The seal-breaking guide 16is a guide part for guiding a direction of tearing from the cuts 12, 14toward the holding part 2, and serves as means for reinforcing anopening portion of the holding part 2. According to the embodiment,there are formed a first reinforcing part 20 and a second reinforcingpart 22 which are symmetrical respectively about a ridge line 18 of theholding part 2. The first reinforcing part 20 comprises a linearhorizontal edge part 24 which bridges over the ridge line 18 andcircular outer edge parts 26, 28 for preventing it from exfoliating whenit contacts an external portion, and a pair of triangular protrusionparts 30, 32 are formed at the right and left thereof so as to beintegrated with the top seal part. That is, circular tip ends of theprotrusion parts 30, 32 are overlaid on the top seal and subjected tothermal compression, and integrated with the top seal part 6.

[0052] First inclined edge parts 34, 36 are formed opposite to theprotrusion parts 30, 32 for allowing a tearing stress to escape towardthe ridge line 18 and guide the tearing stress therealong, and theinclined edge parts 34, 36 are formed in a salient shape relative to thehorizontal edge part 24, e.g, at an inclined angle of about 45 degrees,and each inclined length thereof is set at about a half of the distanceranging from each apex of the protrusion parts 30, 32 to the ridge line18. The reinforcing part 22 is formed within the interval between theinclined edge parts 34, 36, and there are formed vertical edge parts 38,40 and protrusion parts 42, 44 at the left and right sides of thereinforcing part 22, and second inclined edge parts 45, 46 forming aV-shaped recess while interposing the ridge line 18, and a terminal endrecess 47 forming a curved edge at the center side between the secondinclined edge parts 45, 46. Each height of the protrusion parts 42, 44serving as end edges of the second inclined edge parts 45, 46 is set tobe the same as each height of the protrusion parts 30, 32 of the firstreinforcing part 20 side, and the protrusion parts 42, 44 are subjectedto a thermal compression when the top seal part 6 is formed and they areoverlaid on the top seal part 6 and integrated therewith.

[0053] Short first slits 48, 50 are formed between the reinforcing part20 and reinforcing part 22 toward the ridge line 18 by extending theinclined edge parts 34, 36 while second linear slits 52, 54 are formedunder the slits 48, 50 in a direction from the portion close to theinclined edge parts 34, 36 toward the ridge line 18, and also a thirdlinear slit 56 is provided at the slit 52 side while spaced from theslit 52, and likewise, a linear other third slit 58 is formed at theslit 54 side while spaced from the slit 54 toward the ridge line 18. Theslits 52, 56 and the slits 54, 58 are spaced at a predetermined angularinterval which are slightly narrowed therebetween toward the ridge line18, and the end parts thereof at the ridge line 18 side are set at thesame position from the horizontal edge part 24. That is, imaginary linesconnecting the end parts of the slits 52, 56 and the slits 54, 58 areparallel with the horizontal edge part 24. There is formed a center slit64 serving as an inversed T-shaped fourth slit having a horizontal part62 orthogonal to the vertical part 60 which is provided along the ridgeline 18 between the slits 56, 58 at the end parts thereof.

[0054] If the seal-breaking guide 16 is taken, for example, along theline IV-IV in FIG. 3, the cut end faces form, for example, a sectionalconfiguration shown in FIG. 4 (A), and FIG. 4 (B) shows its enlargedsections. That is, the seal-breaking guide 16 is brought into contactwith and fixed onto the flexible material 3 constituting the holdingpart 2 by fixing means, for example, an adhesive 66. The holding part 2to which the seal-breaking guide 16 is adhered is partially enforced bythe reinforcing parts 20, 22, and the flexible material 3 of the holdingpart 2 is exposed from the seal-breaking guide 16 at the portions whereeach of the slits 48 to 58 and the center slit 64 respectively formed onthe reinforcing parts 20, 22, thereby constituting a non-reinforcingpart 68. According to the embodiment, since the seal-breaking guide 16is formed by subjecting a high rigid synthetic resin to die slittingprocess and so forth, respective edge parts such as each of the slits48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, each of the inclined edge parts 34, 36, 45, 46,each of the vertical edge parts 38, 40, each of the protrusion parts 30,32, 42, 44 and so forth constitute an edge part vertically rising fromthe flexible material 3. A thickness a of the seal-breaking guide 16 isset at substantially the same thickness b of the flexible material 3,for example, supposing that the thickness b of the material of theflexible material 3 ranges from 50 to 100 μm, the thickness a of theseal-breaking guide 16 ranges from about 50 to 100 μm.

[0055] Described next are a method of forming the flexible containerprovided with the seal-breaking guide 16 and a method of enclosing theliquid in the flexible container.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the guides 16 are formed on a continuousbelt-shaped board 70 at a predetermined interval and an adhesive 66 forbonding the seal-breaking guides 16 to the flexible material 3 is pastedon the back side of the seal-breaking guides 16. The method of formingthe seal-breaking guides 16 comprises, for example, bonding a syntheticresin sheet to the back face of which the adhesive 66 is adhered ontothe belt-shaped board 70, then forming the seal-breaking guides 16 at apredetermined interval by die slitting process, thereafter removing thesynthetic resin sheet other than the seal-breaking guides 16.

[0057] The seal-breaking guides 16 on the board 70 are sucked toward arobot arm side, not shown, to exfoliating them from the board 70 to holdthem then they are bonded onto the belt-shaped flexible material 3 at apredetermined position shown in FIG. 5 (B). The positions of theseal-breaking guides 16 relative to the flexible material 3 are set withhigh accuracy based on each position where the center seal part 4 andthe top seal part 6 are formed.

[0058] The flexible material 3 onto which the seal-breaking guide 16 isbonded is, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), subjected to a seal processing at thecenter seal part 4, so that a cylindrical holding part 2 is formed bythe single flexible material 3. A width W of the center seal part 4 andan edge part 72 thereof are set such that the center of theseal-breaking guide 16 is positioned at the ridge line 18 of the holdingpart 2.

[0059] The holding part 2 to which the seal-breaking guide 16 isattached is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), such thatthe edge part 72 of the center seal part 4 is set at the center of theholding part 2, and a center line of the seal-breaking guide 16 servesas the ridge line 18, then the center seal part 4 is bent in onedirection and overlaid on the holding part 2, thereafter the top sealpart 6 is formed at the upper side of the holding part 2, which issubjected to a sealing process. That is, if the inner side of theflexible material 3 constituting the holding part 2 is, for example,made of polyethylene which can be subjected to thermal compression, itcan be easily subjected to compression by heat compression by a sealingprocess device, not shown, and the compression process can be effectedwith high accuracy at a suitable temperature, a pressure applicationforce and time. The cut 12 is formed at the seal-breaking guide 16 sideof the top seal part 6 at a predetermined position of the inclined edgeparts 34, 36 and the cut 14 is formed at a predetermined position of theinclined edge parts 45, 46 side in a direction orthogonal to the topseal part 6.

[0060] Although the end edge recess 47 of the inclined edge parts 45, 46of the seal-breaking guide 16 is overlapped on the ridge line 18 of theholding part 2 according to the embodiment, the end edge recess 47 whichis curved by the inclined edge parts 45, 46 of the seal-breaking guide16 forms a gentle edge part so that the inclined edge parts 45, 46 ofthe seal-breaking guide 16 is adapted to the ridge line 18 of theholding part 2 to be integrated therewith, and the edge part thereofdoes not form an extreme protrusion, and hence it is not hindered inhandling thereof.

[0061] The holding part 2 which is closed at two sections of the centerseal part 4 and the top seal part 6 constitutes the flexible containerwhich is opened due to non-formation of the bottom seal part 8, as shownin FIG. 2. After the water 10 is charged in the holding part 2 by apredetermined amount with charging means, not shown, while an openingside of the flexible container is directed upward, the holding part 2 issealed at the bottom seal part 8, thereby completing the charging ofliquid and sealing process.

[0062] According to the flexible container to which the seal-breakingguide 16 is provided, the top seal part 6 and the holding part 2 aretorn through the cut 12 or the cut 14 as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 bythe same opening process as the prior art so that the holding part 2 canbe easily opened, thereby taking out the water 10 serving as thecontents in the holding part 2.

[0063] Described next is the operation of the seal-breaking guide 16when the holding part 2 is opened. When a tearing force is applied tothe cut 12, there generates a breakage, for example, as shown in abroken line L in FIG. 7 (A), so that a breakage piece 74 which is a partof the flexible container, is removed to form an opening in the holdingpart 2. In this case, although a tearing stress acts on two faces of thetop seal part 6 and the holding part 2, the breakage generated by thisstress is blocked by the inclined edge parts 34, 36, and guided andintroduced toward the slits 48, 50 side and then influences on the slits52, 54 to move toward the center slit 64, thereby forming a symmetricalbreakage piece 74. As a result, the openings formed in the holding part2 form ideal opening configurations which are symmetrical about theridge line 18 in the same shape as the breakage piece 74.

[0064] In this case, the seal-breaking guide 16 is formed by subjectinghigh rigid synthetic sheet to a die slitting process and so forth, sothat each of the edge part such as each of the slits 48, 50, 52, 54, 56,58, each of the inclined edge parts 34, 36, 45, 46, each of the verticaledge parts 38, 40, each of the protrusion parts 42, 44 and so forth, forexample, constitute an edge part vertically rising from the flexiblematerial 3, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), and the flexible material 3 isreinforced by the seal-breaking guide 16, so that the tearing forceapplied to the holding part 2 is shut out at the edge part side of theseal-breaking guide 16, and it is guided in inclined directions of theinclined edge parts 34, 36, and the torn part is guided between theslits 52, 56 and intruded between the slits 54, 58, and hence theholding part 2 is broken at the inversed T-shaped center slit 64 at theridge line 18 side to open the holding part 2.

[0065] Depending on the tearing force applied to the cut 12, thebreakage shown in a broken line L in FIG. 7 (B) is generated, so thatthe breakage piece 74 serving as a part of the flexible container isremoved to form the opening in the holding part 2. Since a uniformtearing stress acts on both sides of the top seal part 6 and holdingpart 2 also in this case, the breakage generated by this stress isblocked by the inclined edge parts 34, 36, then guided toward the firstslits 48, 50, and influences on the slits 56, 58 then moves to thecenter slit 64, thereby forming the symmetrical breakage piece 74. As aresult, the opening formed in the holding part 2 forms an ideal openingconfiguration which is symmetrical about the ridge line 18 in the sameshape as the breakage piece 74.

[0066] Depending on a tearing force applied to the cut 12, the breakageshown in a broken L in FIG. 8 (A) is generated, so that the breakagepiece 74 serving as a part of the flexible container is removed to formthe opening in the holding part 2. In this case, a uniform tearingstress does not act on both sides of the top seal part 6 and holdingpart 2. That is, although the breakage generated by such a stress isblocked by the inclined edge parts 34, 36, and guided toward andintroduced into the slits 48, 50, since the stress is not uniform, oneof the breakage (left side in FIG. 8 (A)) influences on the slit 56 tomove to the center slit 64 while the other breakage (right side in FIG.8 (A)) influences on the slit 54 to move to the center slit 64. As aresult, an asymmetrical breakage piece 74 is formed. In this case, thevariation of the shape of the breakage piece 74 is very small because itis guided within an interval width of the slits 52, 56 and that of theslits 54, 58, so that the breakage piece 74 can be stated to besymmetrical. As a result, the opening formed in the holding part 2becomes a substantial symmetrical opening configuration about the ridgeline 18 like the shape of the breakage piece 74.

[0067] Depending on the tearing force applied to the cut 12, thebreakage shown in a broken line L in FIG. 8 (B) is generated, so thatthe breakage piece 74 serving as a part of the flexible container isremoved to form the opening in the holding part 2. Also in this case, auniform tearing stress does not act on both sides of the top seal part 6and holding part 2. That is, although the breakage generated by such astress is blocked by the inclined edge parts 34, 36, and guided towardand introduced into first slits 48, 50, since the stress is not uniform,one of the breakage (left side in FIG. 8 (B)) influences on the slit 52to move to the center slit 64 while the other breakage (right side inFIG. 8 (B)) influences on the slit 58 to move to the center slit 64. Asa result, an asymmetrical breakage piece 74 is formed. Also in thiscase, the variation of the shape of the breakage piece 74 is very smallbecause it is restricted within an interval width of the slits 52, 56and that of the slits 54, 58, so that the breakage piece 74 can bestated to be symmetrical. As a result, the opening formed in the holdingpart 2 becomes a substantial symmetrical opening configuration about theridge line 18 like the shape of the breakage piece 74.

[0068] In the case where the top seal part 6 and holding part 2 are tornat the cut 14, a breakage is generated along the inclined edge parts 45,46 as shown in a broken line M in FIG. 9, so that a breakage piece 76serving as a part of the flexible container is removed, thereby formingan opening in the holding part 2. In this case, since the breakages aregenerated in a narrow width, they are prevented from the top seal part 6by the inclined edge parts 45, 46, and guided toward the ridge line 18by the inclined edge parts 45, 46, then collected in the end edge recess47 so that the breakage piece 76 is removed from the top seal part 6 andholding part 2 to form the symmetrical opening in the holding part 2.

[0069] In the case where the holding part 2 is subjected to an openingprocess by the tearing force applied to the cuts 12, 14, directions ofbreaking and tearing are respectively guided in their operatingdirections along the seal-breaking guide 16, then they are guided towardthe ridge line 18. Further, in the case where the holding part 2 is tornfrom the cut 12 side, and from the cut 14 side, the symmetrical orsubstantial symmetrical opening can be formed in the holding part 2. Asa result, a uniform opening can be formed in the holding part 2 withouterror in opening even if any stress is applied thereto, so that thewater 10 serving as contents can be easily taken out from the holdingpart 2.

[0070] Further, if a part of the seal-breaking guide 16 serving as theopening of the holding part 2 is clamped by a closing member, forexample, by a clip 220 shown in FIG. 17, the opening can be easilysealed. Even if the holding part 2 sealed by the clip 220 is cooled in arefrigerator, a close contact state of the opening can be released by arestoring force of the seal-breaking guide 16 if the clip 220 isremoved, thereby saving the opening operation of the opening forreleasing the sealing of the opening or preventing the error in pouringwater into the holding part 2 in the close contact state.

[0071] Second Embodiment:

[0072] Although the seal-breaking guide 16 is formed in the symmetricalshape according to the first embodiment, in the case where a materialconstituting a seal-breaking guide 16 is thicker than a flexiblematerial 3 constituting a holding part 2, it is possible that one of theprotrusion parts 30, 42 of the seal-breaking guide 16 is prevented frombeing subjected thermal compression at a top seal part 6 and the loadapplied to the top seal part 6 when subjected to thermal compression maybe reduced by forming the seal-breaking guide 16 in an asymmetricalshape like the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 10. That is, accordingto the seal-breaking guide 16, the height of the protrusion part 30 islower than that of a protrusion part 32 and the height of the protrusionpart 42 is lower than that of a protrusion part 44, and the inclinedangle of the inclined edge part 34 is formed to be more gentle than thatof an inclined edge part 36, and also, the inclined angle of an inclinededge part 45 is formed to be more gentle than that of an inclined edgepart 46.

[0073] With such an arrangement, the top seal part 6 can be detachedfrom the protrusion parts 30, 42, and the thermal compression of the topseal part 6 can be easily effected only the thermal compression isapplied only onto the protrusion parts 32, 44. Particularly, when athick material is employed by the seal-breaking guide 16 as aconstituent material, a part of the seal-breaking guide 16 can bedetached from the top seal part 6, thereby enhancing thermal compressionproperty of the top seal part 6 to realize a high reliability sealing.Even with such a configuration of the second embodiment, a uniformopening can be formed by the seal-breaking guide 16 in the same manneras the first embodiment.

[0074] Third Embodiment:

[0075] In the case where a material constituting the seal-breaking guide16 is thinner than a flexible material 3 constituting a holding part 2,inclined edge parts 45, 46 are formed in a horizontal edge part 77, forexample, as shown in FIG. 11 of the third embodiment, and protrusionparts 42, 44 are formed while sandwiching the horizontal edge part 77,whereby the protrusion parts 42, 44 may be clamped in a top seal part 6.Even with such a configuration of the third embodiment, a uniformopening can be formed by the seal-breaking guide 16 in the same manneras the first embodiment.

[0076] Forth Embodiment:

[0077] Further, a seal-breaking guide 16 may be constituted, forexample, as shown in FIG. 12 of the fourth embodiment. A firstreinforcing part 20 which is symmetrical about a ridge line 18 of aholding part 2 is formed according to the seal-breaking guide 16, and itincludes circular peripheral edges 26, 28 so as to prevent exfoliationcaused by the contact between a linear horizontal edge part 24 whichextending over the ridge line 18 and an outside, and also includes apair of rectangular protrusion parts 30, 32 at the right and left so asto integrate with a top seal part 6, and also includes U-shaped firstinclined edge parts 34, 36 between these protrusion parts 30, 32. Thatis, the configuration of the fourth embodiment removes the secondreinforcing part 22 from the seal-breaking guide 16 in the firstembodiment, and it is formed by only the first inclined edge parts 34,36. Inclined angles of the first inclined edge parts 34, 36 are the sameas those of the first inclined edge parts 34, 36 shown in FIG. 3, and acurved edge part 80 is formed in the first reinforcing part 20 insteadof the center slit 64. The seal-breaking guide 16 can be also attachedto the flexible container in the shapes and processes shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5 (B), 6 (A), 6 (B).

[0078] Even in the case where the seal-breaking guide 16 having such anarrangement is used, if a tearing force is applied to the top seal part6 from cuts 12, 14, a breakage caused thereby can be prevented at thefirst inclined edge parts 34, 36 side, and it is guided to the curvededge part 80 to form a breakage piece 74, so that a symmetrical openingcan be formed in a holding part 2, and the opening can be reinforced bythe seal-breaking guide 16 to prevent a close contact state caused byrefrigeration.

[0079] Meanwhile, although contents enclosed in the flexible containerare explained as water 10 according to the fourth embodiment, thecontents enclosed in the flexible container include various liquid, afluid content, or solid or the mixture thereof, and the liquid includesindustrial water such as pure water and so forth, medical water,drinking water, fruit juice, vegetable juice, and so forth and the fluidincludes food staff such as mayonnaise and so forth, and the solidincludes ice and so forth, and the contents enclosed in the flexiblecontainer is not limited to the water 10 shown in this embodiment.

[0080] Although a laminated film of nylon, ethylene-vinylalcohol resinand polyethylene, a laminated film of nylon, polyethylene telephtalatecoated with aluminum oxide and polyethylene are exemplified as theflexible material 3, other single synthetic film or polymer film may beused.

[0081] A synthetic resin film other than the exemplified polyethylenetelephtalate may be used as the seal-breaking guide 16. Although anadhesive 66 is used as a method of bonding the seal-breaking guide 16, afixing method such as a thermal compression and so forth may be used,and also even if the seal-breaking guide 16 is formed by silk printingor coating with resin, the same effect can be expected.

[0082] Although the invention has been described with most preferableembodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment set forthabove, and it is natural that the invention can be variously modified orchanged by a person skilled in the art base on the gist of the inventionwhich is disclosed in appended claims, and best mode for carrying outthe invention, and such modification and change is included in the scopeof the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0083] The flexible container and the seal-breaking guide thereofaccording to the invention is useful and adapted for a containerenclosing therein fluid such as water because the opening can be easilyformed in the holding part 2 by tearing a part of the flexible containerfrom the slits formed in the seal part, and it can be torn while atearing force and breakage force are guided by the seal-breaking guidein their operating directions, the slits can be restricted topredetermined shapes to uniformize the opening shapes, therebypreventing the irregularities of the opening shapes and error ofopening.

[0084] According to the flexible container and the seal-breaking guideof the invention, since the openings can be reinforced by theseal-breaking guide, the holding part 2 can be easily restored to anoriginal shape from an close contact state caused by sealing by asealing member and the refrigeration to an opening state, and also thecontents enclosed in the holding part 2 can be easily taken out so thatit is useful and adapted for an contents therein, fluid such as water.

[0085] According to the method of forming the flexible container of theinvention, the flexible container can be easily opened and the shape ofthe openings can be uniformized so that the flexible container can beeasily fabricated, and hence it is useful.

[0086] According to the method of enclosing the liquid in the flexiblecontainer of the invention, the contents such as liquid and so forth canbe enclosed in the flexible container which can be easily opened and theshape of the openings can be uniformized so that the flexible containercan be easily fabricated, and the liquid such as pure water, drinkingwater, and so forth can be commercialized, and hence it is useful.

[0087] According to the method of enclosing the liquid in the flexiblecontainer, and water of the invention, the flexible container which iseasily opened and uniformized in the shapes of the openings can becommercialized as a unit so that the liquid such as pure water, drinkingwater, which is facilitated in carrying and keeping thereof can beprovided, and hence it is useful.

1. A flexible container being openable by tearing comprising: seal partsfor sealing a holding part formed of a flexible material; single orplural cuts formed on the seal parts; and a seal-breaking guide providedin the holding part for giving a guidance for a direction of tearing ofthe holding part, said holding part being torn from the single or pluralcuts to be opened.
 2. The flexible container according to claim 1,wherein the cuts are formed by the number of not less than two differentparts which are selectable in an opening area of the holding part. 3.The flexible container according to claim 1, wherein the opening isclosed by a closing member for sealing an opening formed in the holdingpart, and maintaining the opening in an open state when the sealing ofthe opening is released. 4 A method of forming a flexible containerwhich is openable by tearing comprising the steps of: bonding aseal-breaking guide for giving a guidance for a direction of tearing ofa holding part, when the holding part is opened, to a flexible materialforming the holding part for enclosing contents, such as a liquidtherein; and setting seal parts by folding a portion of the flexiblematerial to which the seal-breaking guide is bonded to thereby form theholding part.
 5. A seal-breaking guide of a flexible container which isopenable by tearing from cuts formed in seal parts comprising: edgeparts for preventing tearing from spreading on the holding part, that istorn by the cuts, and for guiding a tearing force, that is applied tothe holding part in an operating direction.
 6. A seal-breaking guide ofa flexible container according to claim 5, further comprising a slit forpreventing tearing from spreading on the holding part, that is torn by asingle or plural cuts, and for guiding a tearing force, that is appliedto the holding part in an operating direction.
 7. A seal-breaking guideof a flexible container according to claim 5, further comprising pluralslits for preventing tearing from spreading on the holding part, that istorn by the cuts, and for guiding tearing routes, that are generated inthe holding parts within a predetermined range.
 8. A seal-breaking guideof a flexible container according to claim 5, further comprising anopening in the holding part by collecting tearing routes for tearing theholding part while extending over the seal parts, and a slit forbreaking the holding part and a part of the seal parts.
 9. Aseal-breaking guide of a flexible container according to claim 5,wherein the edge parts or slits are formed in a symmetrical shape at thesymmetrical position or an asymmetrical shape at the asymmetricalposition while sandwiching the seal part.
 10. A method of enclosing aliquid in a flexible container which is openable by tearing comprisingthe steps of: bonding a seal-breaking guide to a flexible material, saidseal-breaking guide giving a guidance for a direction of tearing when aholding part is opened; setting seal parts by folding a portion of theflexible material to which the seal-breaking guide is bonded to therebyform the holding part of a liquid; charging a predetermined amount ofthe liquid into the holding part; and sealing the holding part at theseal part after charging the liquid.
 11. A liquid enclosed in theflexible container according to claim 1.